Ah, graduation. It's a big step in the lives of young adults everywhere, a time for them to say goodbye to their college years and enter the world of adulthood.

It's a time for celebration. And with any celebration comes gifts.

SEE ALSO:Jazz up your graduation cap with these 14 clever designs

While sentimental items like Oh, the Places You'll Go! and framed photographs are certainly touching, there's an even better idea out there: Get recent graduates gifts you know they'll use.

Not sure what that might be? Never fear. We've compiled a list of presents sure to satisfy for the monumental occasion — and beyond.

Credit: giphy

Give your grad the gift of tech

Recent grads usually don't have a lot of cash, and tech items tend to be pricey. Do your graduating friend a favor; help set them up for the future with gifts like these.

Laptop (and/or accessories!)

Four years of college makes for a pretty worn-out machine. Help recent graduates tackle the adult world by giving them a new one — or if they're attached to their current computer, choose accessories like mouses, keyboards, cases, and speakers. We like Microsoft's Surface.

eReader

An eReader is a gift that goes a long way. Not only is it a portable way to read, but also, many classic novels are available for free as eBook downloads. The Amazon Kindle is the classic eReader choice. Coupled with a Prime membership, you'll be granting a fresh grad a ton of easily accessible literature and knowledge, inspiring passion, and helping them get a head start on their essential reading lists.

Home Assistant

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Fun and functional, home assistants are the perfect grown-up gift. Overwhelmed by all the choices? Check out our guide, which covers Google Home, Amazon products, and Apple HomePod.

Help them out with some upgraded home goods

It's time to trade in those jersey dorm sheets and microwave dinners for something a little more sophisticated. Get your college grad started with some of the pricier home goods they might not be able to buy themselves. Bonus: These gifts give over and over again.

Instant Pot

Great for a quick meal — almost an instant one.Credit: Blair Gable / Instant Pot

The insanely popular pressure cooker is a perfect starter appliance for the fresh grad. According to their website, Instant Pot uses 70% less energy than other pressure cookers, and it's able to cook food in a matter of minutes. There are a lot of versions out there, so use this handy guide to make the most informed choice.

A goodcoffee maker

Waking up early for a job is a little bit harder than rolling out of bed and into 1 p.m. classes. Treat the college graduate to a high-end espresso machine, fancy French press, or cute novelty coffee maker. We've got an extensive list for coffee snobs, super fans, and gadget geeks alike.

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Grown-up linens and towels

For some unknown reason, a lot of millennials hate top sheets. That doesn't mean they don't deserve good bedding. Replace their grimy discount stuff with comfortable linens for the future. Bed, Bath, and Beyond has a solid selection of bedding and Amazon has good deals on luxury towels.

A robot vacuum

Take a Roomba home!Credit: iRobot

These things are pricey but they are so worth it. An easy way for the new grad to keep their brand new place clean, a robot vacuum can also be the source of many laughs.

Make #Adulting easier with these thoughtful items

Planner/journal

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If the graduate you know was a fan of journals and planners while still in school, they'll definitely appreciate a fancy new volume to begin the next, even more organized chapter of their life. Moleskine is a classic journal choice, with plenty of variety and options. Erin Condren offers super-customizable planners and journals, and has various gift cards available so grads can pick and choose their own styles.

Stationery

For the past two years or so, stationery has been making a resurgence among young millennials and Gen Z, maybe for that subtle "Hey, send me some mail" hint. Paper Source has a diverse selection of personalized stationery; you're sure to find the perfect design for any graduate.

A good wallet

Credit: FossilCredit: Fossil

Trade in the graduate's battered paper wallet from high school for a sleek adult one. Fossil has a great selection of masculine and feminine styles. Do some searching: There's definitely one out there that suits the graduate you're shopping for.

Professional clothes

Having a good suit jacket and shoes is essential for the interview process. Help the new graduate prepare for the workforce and treat them to a sharp outfit. If you're not sure what they like (or what their size is), you might consider Nordstrom's Trunk Club, a service that will deliver an outfit personally tailored to the customer's needs.

A watch

Watches are a quintessential graduation present and a hallmark of entering adulthood — it's that whole notion of time thing, maybe? Though they might seem a bit on the sentimental side, a nice watch is a statement piece that college graduates can wear to fancier events or in professional settings. Department stores like Macy's have a selection ranging from high-tech smart watches to traditional leather designs.

Subscriptions are something they'll look forward to

Give the graduate a gift they can't wait to receive each month — or something that will make their life easier in general.

Book of the Month

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Book of the Month offers five different books to chose from each month, including early releases and debut authors. If none of the books look appealing, there's an option to skip and forward the credit to the next month. There are three gift options available: 3 months for $49.99, 6 months for $79.99, and 12 months for $149.99.

Amazon Prime

Amazon Prime comes with free two-day shipping and includes a host of other perks, like access to Prime Music and Prime Video. If your college grad had Prime when in school, they paid 50% of the regular price for Prime Student. Give them one less payment to worry about with a gift of Prime. There are two available plans: 3 months for $39 and 12 months for $99.

Newspaper/Magazine

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Lots of publications offer sweet student deals, but when that edu email expires, paying full-priced subscriptions racks up expenses quickly. Help new grads out by purchasing them a yearly subscription to their favorite publication. The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and New Yorkerare all good choices with both print and digital options.

Spotify Premium

Because Spotify has a great student discount at 50%, transitioning into the real world can be harsh. Buy your music-loving grad up to a year of Spotify Premium to ease the pain. Spotify has four gift options: 1 month for $9.99, 3 months for $29.97, 6 months for $59.94, and 12 months for $119.98.

But seriously ... money is always a good option

Let's be real — college grads need money. If you think getting them a gift card or cash is a cop out, think again.

Gift cards

Look at the li'l hat!Credit: Amazon

Options for gift cards range from the more general and versatile, such as Visa or Amazon, to the specific, like IKEA or Target. Whether you want to help the graduate out with daily meals through a gift card to a grocery chain, or you'd rather them treat themselves to a nice meal via a card to a chain restaurant, the possibilities are only as endless as your imagination (and your knowledge of the grad's lifestyle). The go-to option is Amazon, which offers an assortment of cute graduation-themed gift cards.

Literally just cash (checks are acceptable)

If you hand a college graduate an envelope full of cash, you're probably giving them the best gift they could ask for. If you're strapped for time, we promise no college graduate is going to say no to an envelope of money.

Graduation is a time of great excitement and marks a scary (but thrilling!) life transition. Let your fresh grad know they're not alone by gifting them something they'll really like, and use. Congrats to the upcoming graduates!

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